The Kutoka Network is a voluntary gathering of Christian teams who minister to people living in the various informal settlements. The word KUTOKA originates from the biblical meaning The EXODUS (KUTOKA in Swahili). The network starting in the year 2002, when priests, sisters and lay people living and working in parishes linked and started to learn and discuss the multiple issues they faced in their daily work, challenges and positive things that were happening in the various slum environment. Together we look at the problems affecting the people in slums, with the eyes of Gospel.

OUR AIM AND OBJECTIVE
The network aims to analyze the reality of the slums, to share experiences, to reflect together on the pastoral approach , to plan common initiative and actions and to highlight positive aspects of the reality of the community living in the informal settlements.

SITUATION IN NAIROBI SLUMS
There are over 200 slums in Nairobi, where the majority of Nairobi city dwellers are crammed in 5% of the total available land.

OUR HOPE
We are particularly inspired by the following passage from the Bible:

The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed meto bring the good news to the afflicted.He has sent meto proclaim liberty to captives,sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord.Isaiah 61: 1-2; Luke 4: 18-19

The exodus is a common dream.
"If you want to save someone out of sludge and muck, do not cheat yourself you can remain up there and be pleased to lower a helping hand. All the way down you must go: inside muck and sludge.There, seize the other, then with strong hands and lift both of you up into the light."

Rabbi Schlomo
in Martin Buber's Tales of the Hasidim

TAKE THE PLUNGE!

This planet is no longer a rural planet.

By 2030, 60 percent of the world population will be urban.
Today, 72 percent of the citizens in Sub-Saharan cities live in informal settlements. The Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Nairobi responds to this in two ways: care for those who came to settle in the backyards of established parishes, form new Christian communities in the heart of informal settlements

WHAT TO EXPECT
This site offers an insight into the daily lives of Nairobi slum dwellers.
It also testifies the various struggles the KUTOKA network has taken up over the years.
This may prompt you to join us and assist us with young talents, skills and energy. What many people do not know is that people do not reside in slums by choice.